Method of making ribbed strips for insoles



Nov. -7, 1950 A. s. CLARK ammo]: 0F mm: mam-2n STRIPS FOR msoms Filed Feb. 13. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 In vemol AIfred 5'. Clark A. S. CLARK IETHOD OF IAKING RIBBED STRIPS FOR INSOLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 1, 1950 Filed Feb. 13, 1947 lnugemoz Alfred 5. Clark 19 his 'Attorne Nov. 7, 1950 A. s. CLARK uxmc RIBBED STRIPS FOR msouss union 0F Filed Feb. 13, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 In ventor I Alfred .51 Clark A. S. CLARK IE'I'HOD OF MAKING RIBBED STRIPS FOR INSOLES Filed Feb. 13, 1947 Nov. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Shoot 4 [n venzo Alfred 5'. Clark ttorney \Wq,

: Patented Nov. 7, 1 950 METHOD OF MAKING RIBBED STRIPS FOR INSOLES Alfred S. Clark, Beverly, Mass, assig'nor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J.,

a corporation of New Jersey Application February 13, 1947, Serial No. 728,227

I Claims. (Cl. 154-117) This invention relates to insoles for use inthe manufacture of welt shoes and, more particularly, to methods of making ribbed strips for application to such insoles to provide sewing ribs thereon.

Important objects of the present invention are to provide an improved method of making ribbed strips of the type referred to in which the rib is provided with a filler or core and to provide an improved method the practice of which is economical, quick, efliicent and produces improved results.

To the attainment of these objects, the invention provides, in accordance with one aspect, an improved method of making ribbed strips for application to insoles for the purpose indicated which consists in folding flexible sheet material progressively into a tube to produce a hollow tube-like rib, and introducing flller material progressively into the tube or rib to provide a core indefinite length precoated on at least one side with pressure-responsive cement, The strips of sheet material are moved or fed in unison along a predetermined path and one of them is folded progressively during such movement about a nozzle shaped lik the rib desired on the insole while another strip is maintained substantially flat, thereby causing the strips to define a hollow tubelike passage or rib projecting from a relatively flat base portion considerably wider than the rib, the strip forming the rib having flanges projecting from the opposite sides thereof and overlying said flat base portion.

Filler material is introduced into the hollow rib to fill the opening therein and provide a core in the rib, the filler material being introduced continuously from the nozzle into the rib during the feeding movement of the strips. As illustrated, the flller material may comprise thermoplastic material in a plastic or semi-fluid condition which is extruded continuously from the nozzle into the rib after-the folding operation has been completed, the filler material providing the rib with a plastic core which is completely enclosed by the sheet material forming the com-1 posite strip. If the filler material forming the core is composed, of thermoplastic material, it may be caused to harden or set during the formation of the ribbed strip by directing a blast of cold air against the composite strip as it travels progressively along its path,- thereby providing the rib with a-solid but flexible core by the time the ribbed strip has been completed.

ratus being sectioned on It is desirable to secure the opposite side walls of the hollow tube-like rib permanently to the hat base portion of the composite strip to insure that the rib will be maintained in its proper shape and position relatively to said base portion. As herein illustrated, the opposite sides or marginal portions of the rib strip forming the hollow are secured to the opposite margins of the strip forming the base portion of the composite strip by attaching the flanges which extend laterall from the opposite sides of the rib to said base portion. In accordance with one-aspect of the method, this may be done by feeding the strips intermittently and inserting two rows of stitches progressively through they sheet materials forming the strip, a row of stitches being located adjacent to the crease or angle formed between the rib and the flange portion of each side of the rib, thereby securing the rib permanently to the base portion of the strip and also closing or sealing the open end of the rib.

In accordance with another aspect of the method, the stitches may be dispensed with and the side walls of the rib may be secured to the 5 base portion by feeding the strips continuously and pressingthe lateral flanges, which are integral with said side walls, against the base portion of the strip, the pressure being applied progressively as the sheet material moves continuously along its path. The pressure-responsive,

cement on the strips of sheet material will cause these flanges to adhere to said base portion under such pressure, thereby securing the flanges and rib permanently to the base portion and sealing the lower end of the hollow rib.

With the above and other aspects and features in view, the invention will now b described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings and will thereafter be pointed out'in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus adapted for use in carrying'out the present method of making ribbed strips, parts of the apparatus being removed or shown insectiom' v Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. l with portions broken away or in Fig. 1;

on the line IY- IV of Fig. 1;

view of the guide for a the line III-III of Fig,- is an enlarged plan view of mechanismfor folding the strips to form a hollow rib and for introducing material into the rib to provide Fig. 7 is a transverse section similar to Fig; 6

taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through the rib shaping rolls of the apparatus taken on the line VIII-V111 of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the completed ribbed strip applied to the outer surface of an insole;

Fig.'l0 is a plan view similar to Fig. l; of a sim plified'apparatus adapted for use in practising a modification of the method of making ribbed strips;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, taken on the line XII--XII of Fig. 10 showing the-guide for positioning the strips in superimposed relation to each other;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail view of the rib shaping and setting rolls shown in Figs. 10 and 11, including an end portion of the nozzle for introducing filler material into the hollow rib, portlons. of view being broken away or shown in section;

taken on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 10; v

.Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view takenon the line XV'XV of Fig. 10; v I

Fig. 16 is a transverse section, similar to Fig. 5, taken on the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the rib shaping rolls taken on the lineXVII- XVII of Fig. 10. Y v

The apparatus illustrated .herein for use in practising the present method of making comstrip A of indefinite length in superimposed relation to another strip B located in a lower guideway 54 formed in the base 21', as shown in Fig. 3, the guideways 52, .54 being also arranged to position the strips inpredetermined relation to each other widthwise of the guide. The strips A and B are composed of flexible sheet material such, for example, a fabric, leather, rubber, plastic or other flexible sheet materials, and the upper strip Ais preferably considerably wider and thicker than the lower strip B. The strip A is coated on its lower surface, as viewed in Fig. 3, with pressure-responsive cement while the lower strip B is coated on both surfaces with such cement, the cement being represented in the drawings by wavy lines P and preferably consisting of pressure-responsive cement such as rubber cement, latex or other cements comprising synthetic rubber-like materials. The strips A and B are of indefinite length and may be supplied to theappara'tus from a pair of reels (not shown) located adjacent to the apparatus. They are Fig. 14 is. an enlarged fragmentary section directed by the guideways in the guide 50 to strip forming mechanisms which will presently be described, the strips being drawn or fed progressively through-the guide and strip forming mechanisms either intermittently or continuously, depending upon the particular type of ribbed strip desired and the kind of apparatus used, the different modifications of the ribbed strip being more fully described hereinafter.

The guide 50 is provided with an extension 56 having a rounded end 58 the central portion of which, as viewed in Fig. 1, tapers inwardly and projects toward the left to form an elongated .nozzle 60 shaped in cross section like the rib desired on the insole and having an enlarged end GI and an opening 62 (Fig. 5) .the latter communicating at its other end with a transverse bore 64 formed in the rounded portion 58. The bore is plugged at its forward end by a screw 66 and is connected at its opposite end by a tube 68 and other tubes to a cement pot or reservoir of usual construction (not shown), the reservoir being adapted constantly to supply material under pressure and in a plastic or semi-fluid condition to the bore 64 and out through the opening 62 in the enlarged end of the nozzle 60, the amount of material being controlled by a conventional type regulating valve on the .tube 68 (not shown)v which is manually adjustable by an operator. The nozzle 60 is of inverted U-shaped formation in cross section, as illustrated in Fi 4.

The material supplied by the nozzle 60 is for the purpose of filling theopening in a hollow tube-like rib to be formed progressively by the apparatus from the strips of sheet material A and B in a manner presently to be described. The filler material introduced into the hollow rib is to provide a core in the rib to produce a composite ribbed strip having a solid or hardened core therein. The material forming the core, in accordance with the present aspect of the invention, is preferably a thermoplastic material which may be maintained in a partially soft or plastic condition in the reservoir by heat in any usual manner and'may be forced under pressure, such as compressed air, through the tube 68 into the nozzle 60 and thence into the tubelike rib through the enlarged end 6| of the nozzle.

Filler materials which are well adapted for this purpose are thermoplastic materials such, for example, as a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, .commonly known as Vinylite," highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride, known to the trade as Koroseal, or similar thermoplastic materials now in common use and capable of forming a relatively solid but flexible core in a sewing rib for insoles. A thermoplastic material of the type indicated above is particularly well adapted for the purpose specified because it can be rendered partially softor plastic and maintained in such condition in the reservoir merely by the application of heat and yet it can be caused to solidify or harden quickly after it has been introduced-into the rib by cooling or chilling the rib as, for example, by subjecting it to a blast of cold air for a short period of time.

The strips A and B may be drawn progressively and in superimposed relation through the guide 50 either intermittently or continuously depending upon the kind of ribbed strip desired, the type of strip determining the feeding method employed. As-illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, thestrips are drawn progressively through the guide by an intermittent feeding movement became, in the particular strip disclosed in such figures, the hollow tube-like rib formed by the upper strip A is secured to its base, formed by the lower strip B, by stitches in addition to pressure-responsive cement. The two strips are drawn intermittently through the guide and the rib forming mechanism of the apparatus by feeding means of the well-known four-motion type utilized on lockstitch sewing machines of the multiple needle, compound feed type such as that disclosed, for example, in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 1,232,091, granted July 3, 1917, in the name of John C. Ringe, this means, in the present case, comprising compound feeding mechanism including an upper member 40, substituted for the usual presser-foot, cooperating with a feed-dog 42 (Fig. 2), together with a pair of needles 32, 34 carried by an adjustable holder 29 on the needle bar of the machine and adapted to insert two parallel rows of stitches into the type of ribbed strip now under consideration.

The particular type of feed movement imparted to the strips, whether continuous or intermittent, is not a feature of the present invention, and the means or manner of producing such movement forms no part of the invention. The four-motion feed movement referred to, however, is well-known in the art and is fully disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 929,761, granted August 3, 1909, in the name of Charles F. Gray. Accordingly, no further description of this feeding mechanism need be given herein because reference may be had to the patent just referred to for a complete disclosure thereof. As pointed out above, however, the upper member 40 in the present apparatus does not cooperate with the feed-dog 42, in the usual manner in sewing machines, to grip the work during the feeding action but is restricted in its heightwise movement by a stop screw or other usual means (not shown) to prevent it from gripping the work, thereby leaving the strips free for operations to be performed thereon by the apparatus while, at the same time, confining the upper strip A sufficiently to prevent its displacement in the apparatus and also to cause sufficient friction to be applied to the strips by the feed-dog 42 to assist the needles in moving the strips intermittently through the apparatus, the strips, of course, being moved in unison by each feeding movement of the needles.

The strips A and B pass from the guide 50 toward the left, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, beyond the rounded portion 58 and into the member 40 which comprises a sleeve secured to the regular presser-bar 30 of the sewing machine, the upper strip A passing above the nozzle 60, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the lower strip B in the guideway 54 pa:sing underneath the nozzle so that the strips are separated at this point by the guide 50, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The member 40 is a folding .member having a lower horizontal portion 84 which extends laterally toward the right under the needles 32, 34, the portion 84 being shaped as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 to 6, inclusive, with its right hand end, a: viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, provided with projections or lips for guiding the strip A into the folder, the left hand or rear part of the horizontal portion 84 being shaped in cross section as illustrated in Fig. 6, in which an inverted U-shaped slot 88 is provided for receiving the upper strip A and folding it about the nozzle 60 to form a hollow tube-like rib after the strip has been partially folded about the nozzle 80 by sup- I piemental folding members 10, 12 carried by the illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the arms 10, 12 being adiustably secured in the guideways by slot and screw connections 18. Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the arms or fingers I0, 12 engage the strip A and fold its opposite portions progressively about the nozzle and also cause the opposite marginal portions of the strip to be bent'laterally away from the nozzle by engage! ment with the base 2| and with the lower strip B which, as explained above, is maintained substantially flat in the lower guideway 54. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the fingers I0, 12 are positioned just in front of the needles 34, 32, respectively, so that the upper strip A is completely folded about the nozzle 60 to ofiset the longitudinal median portion with respect to the marginal portions of the strip and thereby form a hollow tube-like rib R (Fig. 6) projecting upwardly from the lower or base strip B at the points where the stitches are inserted.

The two needles of a sewing machine of the type therein disclosed need not be located exactly opposite each other transversely of the work but may, if desired, by adjustment of the cylindrical holder 29 into different positions of rotation on the needle-bar, be located diagonally or in offset positions relatively to the path of movement of the work or, in other words, transversely or widthwise of the rib R. In accordance with the present aspect of the method, the needles 32, 34 are so offset so that, when they descend, they will just clear the widest part of the upstanding hollow rib R as the latter passes in a predetermined path by the needles, thereby permitting the needles to insert a row of stitches S through the strips along each side of the rib, the stitches being spaced a short distance outwardly from the opposite sides of the rib by reason of the diameters of the needles, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. It will, of course, be understood that the sewing machine inserts the stitches in the usual manner, as disclosed in Patent No. 1,232,091 referred to, and that it feeds the strips intermittently and in unison as the stitches are inserted. Accordingly, no further description of the stitching operation or the mechanism for actuating the needles or effecting the fourmotion feeding movement of the needles, feeddog 42, and folding member 40 will be necessary herein.

As pointed out above, the end portion SI of the nozzle 60 is enlarged, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, until it is approximately equal in size to the space between the stitches S so that, as the tube-like rib passes progressively over the enlarged end of the nozzle, the rib R. is spread or widened to create an opening which is substantially equal in width to the space between the stitches. Consequently, the thermoplastic or other filler material which is introduced under pressure into the hollow rib from the nozzle 60 is suflicient in amount to fill the opening in the rib, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, the filler material being indicated in the drawings by the letter C.

. 1 g The thermoplastic material C is introduced into the rib R by being extruded in a softened 1 or plastic condition from the enlarged end of the lnozzle 88 under pressure from the reservoir re- Iferred to above, the material being in a sum-' 1 ciently. fluid condition to how through the tubing 88 and bore 88 into the opening 82 in the nozzle and thence into the rib R,.the amount of thermoplastic material being controlled by the reguilating valve referred'to on the tube 88. It will 1 be noted in Figs. 1 and 5, that thestitches s are inserted through the strips A and B a considerable distance forwardly or to the right of the end of the nozzle 80 so that the two strips are permanently secured together at opposite sides of i the rib R. to complete the tube-like formation of the rib before the plastic material is introduced or, in other words, so that the open end of the irib .at the base thereof is completely closed or sealed by'the fiat lower strip B before the filler material is introduced. Consequently, the'plastic material C is completely enclosed on all sides by the sheet material forming the strips and will .thus be confined entirely within the rib to provide a core therein after the thermoplastic material has hardened.

Following the stitching operation, the combined strips pass beyond the nozzle and into the inverted U-shaped slot 88 in the horizontal portion 84 of the folding member 80, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the shape of the slot being clearly shown in j that figure. The composite ribbed strip then passes further toward the left, as viewed in Figs. l and 2, and enters an opening in a spacing member mounted on the bed 2| and consisting of a irear plate 90 and a forward plate 92 adjustably jsecured to the bed by slot and screw arrangements as, 98. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, the plates 90, 02 curve upwardly at their adjacent jportions so and I to form a. semi-cylindrical shell which meets on a line I02 and thus provides an opening or tunnel I04 shaped like the rib R and adapted to guide the rib as it leaves the nozzle 00. Consequently, although the thermoplastic material C is still in a more or less plastic condition so that the rib Rcould lose the shape imparted to it by the nozzle 80 and the slot 88 in the folding member 80, the spacing members 88 and 82 maintain the rib in the desired shape while the strip travels from the member 40 to the mechanism which operates next upon the 1 strip.

The composite ribbed strip passes progressively ifrom the spacing members 88, I00 to a pair of rib 1 shaping or compressing rolls I08, I08 constructed a and arranged to impart the final shape or configuration to the rib Rand to compress the 1 plastic material C in the rib into a more compact condition while also applying relatively heavy pressure to the marginal portions of the two 1 strips which project laterally from opposite sides 10f the base of the rib, these marginal portions now forming inner and outer flanges F and G at %opposite sides of the rib, as illustrated in Figs. 16 to 9, inclusive. The upper roll I08 is provided I I with an annular slot or groove H0 which correisponds accurately in cross section to the final theremainingportionsoftheroll I88arecylin-.

shape of the rib R in its finished conditions while asaa'no drical. The lower roll III is cylindrical throughout its length, as shown inrig. 2, to providea proper support for the flat base portion of the s r p.

The outer flange G of the composite ribbed strip is relatively narrow or somewhat less in width than the height of the rib R, whereas the inner fiange F'is considerably wider than the outer flange and preferably a little wider than the height of the rib so that it constitutes a relativelywide inner portion or flange for engaging the insole to insure a strong attachment of the strip thereto and also to provide a wide reinforcement for the insole. As illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the lower strip B covers the open lower end of the tube-like rib at the base of the strip and seals this end permanently to retain the filler material in the rib even while the material is in a plastic condition. The lower strip B, however, is thin enough so that, although it underlies the flanges F and G a considerable distance, its opposite edges will not create any noticeable shoulders or ridges on the upper surfaces of the flanges when the strip B is applied to the insole. As stated above, the lower strip B is coated on both sides with pressure-responsive cement.

The rib-shaping rolls I08, I08 may be rotated intermittently at equal speeds in opposite directions and in synchronized relation to the feeding movements of the rest of the apparatus by any conventional actuating mechanism, the rolls being mounted on horizontal axes. The upper roll I08 is secured to a horizontal shaft I12 (Figs. 1

and 2) and the roll I08 to a. lower shaft III.

" these shafts being rotatably mounted in a cast- The curved portions 98 and I00 of the ing or bracket I I8 secured to the bed 2|. These shafts may be geared together for equal and opposite rotation in synchronized relation to the feed of the sewing machine in any usual manner, the power being supplied, for example, from the power drive of the sewing machine itself by means of suitable connections between the power drive, the feeding mechanism and the gears operating the rolls. 1

After the composite ribbed strip leaves the rib shaping rolls I88, I08, it passes through a tunnel II8 secured to the bed 2I'by screws I20 and having a central portion shaped to receive the rib R and provided with a multiplicity of perforations I22 which permit the rib to receive a blast of cold air from a tube I24 (Fig. 2 located adjacent to the tunnel and arranged, by any usual or convenient means, to apply a continuous blast of cold air against the tunnel. In this way a the thermoplastic material C in the rib is suddenly cooled or chilled and thereby caused to harden or set quickly to provide a solid plastic core in the rib while the strip is moving intermittently through the tunnel, thereby completing the formation of the coredribbed strip and putting the composite strip into a condition to be applied immediately to an insole if desired. The ribbed strip may be applied to insoles as soon as it comes out of the tunnel II8, or it may be wound loosely upon a spool or reel until such time at it is desired to apply the continuous strip to the insoles, for example, during the manufacture of said insoles.

Fig. 9 shows in perspective a section of the completed ribbed strip with a solid plastic core 0 applied to the upper'surface of an insole I.

ure by the letter J. The composite ribbed strip is permanently attached to the surface of the insole by the pressure-responsive cement P on the bottom surfaces of the flanges G and F, and on the bottom surface of the lower strip B, this cement as a sewing rib, the wide inner flange F extending over a fairly wide portion of'the insole inwardly oi the rib to reinforce such P rtion. The rib R, including the solid plastic core C, stands substantially upright relatively 'to the surface of the insole although the position of the rib could, of course, be varied during the construction of the ribbed strip to cause the rib to assume an inclined position relatively to the surface of the insole, if desired. Since the solid plastic core C is entirely enclosed or sealed within the tubelike opening in the rib formed by the combined strips A and B, it cannot become displaced from the position shown in Fig. 9. Moreover, since the bottom surface of the core C is completely covered by the sheet material of the strip B, which has cement on its lower side, the attachment of the portion of the ribbed strip underlying the plastic core to the insole will be just as strong as the attachment of the other portions of the ribbed strip to the insole, that is, the portions formed by the flanges G and F, thereby eliminating a major weakness in this type of ribbed strip, namely, the inability to secure the portion of the strip located directly below the rib or core to the body of the insole as strongly as the lateral or flanged portions of the strip are secured thereto. In the present construction, therefore, there will be no danger of the inseam stitches of the welting operation passing completely under the core of the rib and pulling it away from the body of the insole as there is in the case of a ribbed strip in which a core of plastic or other material in the rib is not enclosed on all sides, particularly at the base of the rib or core, by sheet material which is integral with, or forms a part of, the material forming the ribbed strip. Consequently, there is practically no danger in the use of the present ribbed strip of obtaining a weak or faulty inseaming operation which will tend subsequently to lift or tear the ribbed strip away from the insole and thus spoil or weaken the shoe.

If it is desired to provide a composite ribbed strip having a solid core in the rib similar to that illustrated in Fig. 9, but having no stitches along the opposite sides of the rib, the simplifled apparatus illustrated in Figs. 10 to 17, inclusive, may be utilized in carrying out a modified aspect of the present method. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the guide 50 is mounted on the bed 2| and the wide upper strip A passes through the upper slot 52 in the guide while the thin narrow lower strip B passes through the lower slot 54. The guide 50 in the present case is also provided with a hole I26 (Fig. 12) which receives the end of the tubing 88 connected to the reservoir (not shown) in the manner already described in connection with Fig. 1. The left-hand end 56 of the guide 50 tapers inwardly to form a nozzle 60 shaped like the rib desired on the insole and similar to the nozzle of Fig. 5, except that, in Fig. 10, the nozzle is not enlarged at its delivery end. Since no stitches are to be inserted in the present ribbed strip, the stitching mechanism indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 is removed, the strip folding member 40 being carried by a vertical shaft 30 corresponding to the presser bar 30 of Fig. 1. The member 40 carries a pair of folding members or arms 10, 12 which are adjustably secured in a transverse guideway 16 provided in the lower portion of the member 40 by slot and screw connections 18. as, illustratedin Fig. 10. The members Ill and 12 are arranged to overlap each other at their central or rib folding portions, as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, so that they can be adjusted relatively to each other transversely of the strips without creating a space or opening above the rib folding portion that would interfere with the folding of the upper strip A, this overlapping arrangement being accomplished by extendin the upper portion of the member 12 a substantial distance beyond the center of the member 40 into a recess in the member ID. The arms l0, 12 are shaped to fold the upper strip A downwardly about the inverted U-shaped nozzle 60, in the manner already descrihed, and thus position the upper strip so that it forms an upstanding hollow rib with respect to the lower strip B with flanges extending laterally from opposite sides of the rib and overlying the lower strip which, as stated above, is maintained in substantially flat position in the guideway 54 during the folding operation. Figs. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate progressive steps in the folding of the upper strip A about the nozzle 60 and against the lower strip B to form an upstanding hollow tube-like rib R relatively to the strip B, the rib being provided at its base with an outer flange G and a wider inner flange F.

The composite ribbed strip, folded as described, leaves the folding member 40 and passes immediately into the rib shaping rolls I06, I08 which, as explained above, shape the rib to its final configuration and also press the lateral flanges G and F progressively against the base strip B in the manner illustrated in Fig. 17, thereby causing the pressure-responsive cement on the opposing surfaces of the flanges and lower strip B to unite these lateral portions with a bond that is strong enough to resist separation by any forces that would normally be applied to the strips in the use for which they are intended.

As illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 13, the nozzle 60 in the present apparatus passes into the annular groove H0 in the upper roll I06 and extends a short distance beyond the center of the roll, the nozzle being slightly smaller than the groove to accommodate the thickness of the strip A which surrounds the nozzle. Consequently, in the modification of the method of making ribbed strips now under consideration, the filler material C for forming the core is not introduced into the rib R until after the strips have passed the centers of the rolls I06, I08 and the flanges F and G have been united to the lower strip B by the pressureresponsive cement on said flanges and lower strip. As already pointed out, the filler material C utilized for providing the core in the hollow rib R is preferably thermoplastic material such as one of those mentioned above, for example, Vinylite," "Korosear or other thermoplastic materials of a similar nature.

After the composite ribbed strip has passed progressively through the rolls I06, I08 and the thermoplastic material in a plastic or semi-fluid condition has been extruded into the opening in the rib R, and after the rib with the thermoplasthereby completing the construction of the ribbed strip J and rendering it suitable for immediate I application to insoles or, if desired, for winding upon a spool or reel for storage and for -application to insoles later during the manufacture thereof. Fig. 13 shows the rib shaping rolls I08,"

I08 operating upon the ribbed strip and indicates: the point beyond the centers of the rolls where the thermoplastic material C is extruded into the hollow rib and also where the flanges F and G are pressed against the lower strip B to unite the lateral portions of the strips before the plastic;

material is extruded into the rib. I

As pointed out above, the ribbed strips of the I present invention are adapted'to be applied by pressure alone to the surface of an insole which has been precoated with pressure-responsive cement and they may,'if desired, be applied to insoles immediately. upon their completion 'or as the ribbed strips leave the forming apparatus or1 they may, on the other hand, be wound loosely upon a reel for storage or shipment and be applied to the insoles later during the manufacture of the insoles. S nce the plasticor thermoplastic mate rial which forms the solid fillers or cores in the composite ribbed strips illustrated herein is rela'- tively flexible, it will not interfere with the wind-.

3 -ing of the strips upon spools or reels nor will it;

to provide sewing ribs thereon which comprises folding the longitudinal median portion of one strip progressively about a nozzle shaped like the rib desired on the insole to offset said longitudinal median portion with-respect to the marginal portions of said one strip while maintaining another strip substantially flat with the marginal portions of said strips engaging each other, securing said marginal portions together progressively thereby forming a hollow tube-like passageenclosedby said strips, and extruding plastic material con-,

tinuously from saidvnozzle. into said passage to provide a ribbed strip having a core in its rib. 2. That improvement in methods of making ribbed strips adapted for, attachment to insolesj to provide sewing ribs thereon which comprises feeding strips of flexible sheet material lengthwise alonga nozzle shaped in cross section like the rib desired on the insole, folding the longitudinal median portion of one of said strips about said nozzle during the feeding movement to offset said longitudinal median portion with respect to the marginal portions of said one strip and conform said one strip progressively to the shape of said nozzle while maintaining another strip substanj tially flat with the marginal portions of said strips engaging each other, securing said marginal portions together progressively during said feeding movement, thereby combining said strips to define a hollow tube-like passage, and extruding plastic 1 material continuously from said nozzle into said passage as it passes the end of the nozzle during said nimm m; g smwnm g pas sage with plastic materiarto ribbed strip having acore i v a 3. That improvement'jinmethods of 5 "ribbed stripsfadapted for attachment to insoles to provide sewing ribsthereon which comprises feeding apair of strips of flexible sheet in unison and predetermined 'widthwise relation to each other along a stationary nozzle shaped in cross section likejtlie rib desired on the insole, folding the longitudinal median portion'of one of said strips about said nozzle during the feeding movem'ent to offset sa id'longitudinal median portion with respect to marginalportions of lo said one strip andconform' said strip progressively o ne of sa d some. wh l m i n t other strip substantially flat, the marginal portions of the folded stripfengaging' the marginal portions of the hat strip joformflahges at oppo- 2 sitesides of'said no mle, th marginal portions of the folded "the flat strip together progressively feeding movement, thereby combining sai'd'strips' to define a hollow tube-like rib 'a flat 'baseportion which projects laterally beyond the rib fat'opposite sides thereofjand extruding plastic'materiai continuously from said nozzle into said rib as it passes the end of the nozzle during said" feeding movement, ,thereby filling said rib with; plastic materialto pro'videa core thereinJf- 4."l'ha't improvementfin'; methods of making ribbed strips adapted for attachment to insoles to provide sewing ribs thereon which comprises positioning a pair, of relatively fnarrowstripsof fabric material r indefinite length one above the other inpredeterminedi widthwise relation to eachother, feeding said strips continuously in such position along'a nomle of inverted u shaped formation in crow section, folding the upper strip 40 progressively about, said nozzle during the feeding movement to offset the longitudinal median portion of said strip with respect to the marginal portion thereof and conform said strip to the shape of the nozzle while maintaining the lower strip substantially flat to bring the opposite marginal portions of the upper and lower strips into engagement with each other, securing the opposite marginalportions of thetwo strips permanently together during the feeding movement so to form a hollow tube-like rib having a flat base portion, and extruding plastic material continuously intosaid ribffrom said nozzle after said marginal portionswhave, been secured together, thereby forming a ribbed strip of fabric mate-.- rial provided with an inverted ,U-shaped rib having a plastic core therein. v I

5. That improvement in methods of making ribbed strips adapted for attachmentv to insoles to provide sewing ribs thereon which comprises positioning a pair of relatively narrow stripsof indefinite, length in superimposed relation and predetermined widthwise. position relatively to each other, said strips being precoated'on their adjacent surfaces with 'pressure responslve' eement, feeding said strips lengthwise along a nozzle shaped in cross section like the rib desired on the insole, folding the upper strip progressively about said nozzle during said feeding movement while maintaining the lower strip substantially flat against said nozzle tooifset the longitudinal median portion of said upper strip withrespect to the marginal portionsthereof and tomov'e the opposite marginal portions of th 't'wo strips into ing the feeding movement to cause said marginal portions to adhere permanently to each other by reason of the cement thereon and forming a hollow tube-like rib having a fiat base portion with inner and outer flanges thereon, and extruding plastic material continuously from said nozzle into said tube-like rib as it passes the end of the nozzle during its feeding movement, thereby filling the rib with plastic material to provide the rib with a solid core.

6. That improvement in methods of making ribbed strips adapted for attachment to insoles to provide sewing ribs thereon which comprises feeding a pair of relatively narrow strips of sheet material intermittently along a stationary nozzle shaped in cross section like the rib desired on the insole, folding the longitudinal median portion of the upper strip progressively about said nozzle during the feeding movement to offset said longitudinal median portion with respect to th marginal portions of said upper strip while maintaining the other strip substantially fiat, thereby bringing the opposite marginal portions of said strips into engagement with each other, stitching said opposite marginal portions together during their intermittent feeding movement to secure the strips permanently to each other and form a hollow tube-like rib having flanges projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, and extruding plastic material continuously from said nozzle into said hollow tube-like rib after the strips have been stitched together to form a core in said rib, thereby providing a composite ribbed strip having a plastic core.

7. That improvement in methods of making prefabricated ribbed strips adapted for attachment to insoles to provide sewing ribs thereon which comprises positioning a pair of fabric strips of predetermined width and indefinite length in superimposed relation and predetermined widthwise position relatively to each other, feeding said strips in unison intermittently in such position with a stationary nozzle of inverted U-shaped formation located therebetween, folding the longitudinal median portion of the upper strip progressively about said nozzle during said feeding movement to offset said longitudinal median portion with respect to the marginal portions of said upper strip and conform said upper 14 strip to the shape of said nozzle while maintaining thelower strip substantially fiat, thereby bending the opposite marginal portions of said upper strip against the corresponding marginal portions of the lower strip, stitching said marginal portions together progressively during said intermittent feeding movement to attach said portions permanently to each other, thereby producing a composite ribbed strip having a hollow inverted U-shaped rib and a substantially fiat base portion projecting laterally beyond the opposite sides of the rib to form inner and outer flanges thereon, and extruding plastic material continuously from said nozzle into said hollow rib as it passes the end of said nozzle to fill the opening therein and provide a permanent plastic core in said rib, said core adhering at all sides to said fabric material.

' ALFRED S. CLARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 815,751 Williams Mar. 20, 1906 1,929,903 Schindler Oct. 10, 1933 1,949,226 Wallace Feb. 27, 1934 1,958,131 Davidson May 8, 1934 1,960,997 Halloran May 29, 1934 1,963,393 Woodall June 19, 1934 1,980,119 Wait Nov. 6, 1934 2,096,347 Short Oct. 19, 1937 2,107,585 -Reid Feb. 8, 1938 2,113,636 Vogt Apr. 12, 1938 2,141,405 Randall Dec. 27, 1938 2,142,505 Gammeter Jan. 3, 1939 2,273,833 Carpenter Feb. 24, 1942 2,282,168 Cunnington May 5, 1942 2,284,727 Cunnington June 2, 1942 2,299,955 Spraragen Oct. 27, 1942 2,366,245 Ellerstein Jan. 2, 1945 2,401,551 Cook, Jr June 4, 1946 2,426,058 Scogland Aug. 19, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Great Britain July 1, 1936 

